Headroom is also noteworthy.
There’s almost 6'5" in the staterooms and a whopping 7'2"
in the area shared by the starboard-side lower helm and the comfortable
seating-for-six, port-side dining area. And if you really want some space,
try measuring from the starboard galley-down sole to the overhead: 11'5".

That galley is just
as nicely equipped, with a Bosch refrigerator/freezer, L-shape Corian
countertop, a pair of stainless steel sinks, a four-burner Bosch electric
stovetop, space for an optional dishwasher, a Samsung microwave built
into the aft bulkhead, and enough drawer and cabinet space to stow plenty
of ships stores for your onboard meals. There’s more stowage in the
standard teak and holly sole, accessed by a hatch.

But the 565’s appeal
goes beyond equipment. On many lower-station-equipped boats I’ve
been on, the view ahead has presented problems: Either the overhead is
too low, compressing the windshield, or the helm seat lacks sufficient
adjustment for the driver to get a good view out. Not so on this boat.
The lower helm has some of the best sightlines I’ve seen. I’m
5'9" and had no trouble finding an easy-to-drive sitting position
in the adjustable helm seat. I was able to see directly into the seaway
ahead and to the sides, even with the substantial supporting mullions
in view, thanks not only to the height of the chair but also to the high
overhead and the large windows forward and to either side.

The saloon provides
more creature comforts and equipment. There’s a couch to either side
of the room and an entertainment center located aft and to port complete
with a flat-screen TV, DVD player, and stereo. A pull-out bar lies just
forward of the port-side couch, and just forward of that, a stainless
steel and wood ladder leads to the bridge deck. Furniture and trimmings
are all of cherrywood.

Climb that ladder or
the one on the cockpit to the bridge deck, and you’ll find a centerline
helm, a circular seating area with table to starboard (with stowage beneath
the seats), and an electric grill, sink, and refrigerator cabinet to port
and aft. The grill top is cut out to allow for fingers to lift it, a good
thing, since there’s only a screw-locking arm to hold it up instead
of a gas-assisted ram. My boat was also equipped with optional teak decks
here.

There was an optional
teak sole in the cockpit, which is nicely shaded thanks to the bridge
deck that stretches almost to the transom seat. Access to the engine room
is here as well, via a hatch in the cockpit sole, and the side decks are
almost 14 inches wide, allowing for easy and safe access forward underway.

So far, I couldn’t
see anything the 565 was seriously lacking, but I still hadn’t taken
her out on the water. Unfortunately, seas were dead calm on test day,
so the best I could do to challenge her was to head down the coast. During
a few maneuvers, she responded quickly to helm commands and tracked straight
and true, so I sat back and enjoyed the ride. Along the way, she hit a
WOT speed of 37.4 mph, with the twin 715-hp Volvo D12 diesels turning
2350 rpm. Backed off to 2000 rpm she still broke 30 mph and manged a range
of more than 360 NM on her 740-gallon tankage. With those range numbers,
cruising the Rodman 565 is limited only by your imagination...and the
next fuel stop.

With all that going
for her and an attractive price, the 565 should be enticing to U.S. buyers.
Last year Rodman sold nine 565s overseas, and since the 565 made her American
debut at this past Miami International Boat Show, Rodman says it has logged
orders for 18 more, many destined for American buyers. Welcome to the
neighborhood, kid.